Marine dies after Scripps Ranch crash

SCRIPPS RANCH  A Marine based at the Miramar Air Station died Friday morning from injuries he suffered in a car crash in Scripps Ranch on Tuesday, authorities said.

He was identified as Sgt. Victor J. Cervantes, a San Diego native who enlisted on Oct. 27, 2003. He was an aircraft rescue and firefighting specialist with headquarters and headquarters squadron, a spokesman for the Marine air base said.

San Diego police said Cervantes was the driver of a Honda sports car speeding east on Pomerado Road about 1:45 a.m. Tuesday. His car went off the road and slammed into a light post at Avenida Magnifica. Cervantes was hospitalized with massive injuries.

The Marine Corps said Cervantes’ medals included National Defense Service, Global War on Terrorism Service, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary, Humanitarian Service and three for good conduct. He earned a combat action ribbon and two sea service deployment ribbons.